Educational Programming for Members of the Armed Services

War can have a serious impact on a soldier’s well-being from both a physical and emotional standpoint. As soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the Vietnam conflict, studies are showing a significant connection between head injuries/traumatic brain injuries (TBI) sustained in combat and epilepsy. Between 48,000 and 169,000 servicemen and women serving in Iraq or Afghanistan are expected to develop post-traumatic epilepsy.

The Epilepsy Foundation has developed Operation Epilepsy Outreach to educate veterans about epilepsy and the resources available to them. The program includes such topics as emotionally instability, feelings of isolation, medication compliance, and navigating the benefits and counseling maze. We want assure these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much that they are not alone in dealing with epilepsy.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy: Important Information for Service Members, Veterans and Families is a free brochure available by contacting the EFGA office. The brochure covers the various types of seizures, diagnostic techniques and seizure first aid procedures.

Additional Resources:

National Epilepsy Office
epilepsyfoundation.org/resources/veterans.cfm

VA Epilepsy Center of Excellence
www.epilepsy.va.gov/index.asp

SHARE Initiative, Shepherd Center
www.shepherd.org/patient-care/care-for-us-service-members

Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)
www.dvbic.org

American Veterans with Brain Injuries
www.avbi.org

America’s Heroes at Work
www.americasheroesatwork.gov

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Disorder
www.dcoe.health.mil

Traumatic Brain Injury: The Journey Home
www.traumaticbraininjuryatoz.org

Yellow Ribbon Project
www.yellowribbon.mil